The Federal Government of Nigeria, in collaboration with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP) in Kogi State, has called for stakeholders’ support to improve nutrition outcomes in the state.
The call was made by the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Timothy Ojomah, during a Nutrition Policy Dialogue on Friday in Lokoja.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mr Moses Joseph, the commissioner commended VCDP’s impact on farmers’ lives in Kogi. He noted that the event aimed to showcase IFAD-VCDP’s five-year achievements in promoting nutrition along the cassava and rice value chains.
Ojomah highlighted the importance of good nutrition through balanced diets and described the dialogue as a welcome development. He added that the accompanying product exhibition would have a multiplier effect on the state in terms of balanced diets, job creation, and self-reliance.
The State Project Coordinator (SPC), Dr Stella Adejoh, underscored VCDP’s efforts in building the capacity of farmers, particularly women in rural communities.
“We’ve empowered women with skills in home gardening and provided essential information to improve dietary content at the household level,” she said.
Adejoh noted that the programme has been operational in Kogi since 2020, with interventions in five Local Government Areas: Lokoja, Ajaokuta, Ibaji, Kabba-Bunu, and Olamaboro.
She said the event brought together stakeholders from government agencies, ministries, non-state actors, and 80 women from the five LGAs (16 per LGA).
The project coordinator emphasized the importance of collaboration, encouraging women to train others and promote home gardening for balanced diets.
“The programme aims to scale up its activities, supporting value addition to rice and cassava while improving nutrition in Kogi,” she said.
The Guest Speaker, Mr John Tsebam, Executive Director of Affordable Nutrition Consulting Firm, delivered a lecture on Nutrition-Sensitive Agriculture, highlighting its impact on public health.
Tsebam stressed the need for government support for nutrition programmes, technical assistance for health workers, and nutrition screening at health centres. He emphasized that nutrition-sensitive agriculture reduces malnutrition and improves the well-being of vulnerable populations.
Dr Bello Ogirima, Managing Director of Kogi ADP, highlighted the importance of good nutrition for healthy living and increased productivity.
Mr Abubakar Musa, Chairman of the State Nutrition Committee, commended women farmers for their commitment to nutrition and urged proper budgeting for balanced diets.
Abdulateef Yusuf, State Nutrition Officer at the Ministry of Health, emphasized the importance of a multi-sectoral approach to nutrition.
The event also featured a product exhibition showcasing VCDP farmers’ products, including cassava peanut, cassava chinchin, cassava flakes, and Tom Brown.
